World Guide

Nepal

Country · Asia, Southern Asia

Mount Everest
Pictured: Mount Everest · Photo: shrimpo1967; derivative work: Papa Lima Whiskey 2, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nepal is a country in Southern Asia situated between China and India with a population of about 30 million. Its capital is Kathmandu, and the country covers 147,181 square kilometers. Travelers visit for its varied terrain, which includes the highest point, Mount Everest.

Highlights

This site covers 17 major sights across the country. Many are centered in the Kathmandu Valley, where travelers can visit the Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur Durbar Squares, along with religious sites such as the Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath, Boudha Stupa, and Changu Narayan Temple. Beyond the capital, the natural landscape is a primary draw, featuring Mount Everest and Kala Patthar. Nature enthusiasts also visit Sagarmatha National Park, Chitwan National Park, and Tilicho Lake. Other notable locations include the Janaki Mandir, Budhanilkantha Temple, Rasuwa Fort, and the Koshi Barrage.

Food and drink

Traditional food options include dal bhat, a standard meal, and snacks like sel roti and mimosa sugar balls. Travelers may also encounter chhurpi, a type of cheese, and kinema. For drinks, tongba is a local beverage.

When to go

The weather in Kathmandu varies significantly throughout the year. The rainy season lasts from June through September, with July being the wettest month, receiving 450 mm of rain over 28 days. November and December are the driest months, with minimal rain and average highs between 17 °C and 20 °C. March through May offers warmer temperatures, with highs reaching 26 °C in May, though rainfall increases during this period.

Practical notes

The official language is Nepali, and the currency is the Nepalese rupee. The country operates on UTC+05:45 time and uses 230 V voltage with plug types C and D. Driving is on the left side of the road.

Cities

Food and drink to try in Nepal

  • Dal bhat
  • Chhurpi
  • Sel roti
  • Tongba
  • Kinema
  • Mimosa Sugar Balls

Top sights in Nepal

  1. Mount EverestMount Everest
  2. Pashupatinath TempleUNESCOPashupatinath TempleKathmandu
  3. SwayambhunathUNESCOSwayambhunathKathmandu
  4. Boudha StupaUNESCOBoudha StupaKathmandu
  5. Kathmandu ValleyUNESCOKathmandu ValleyKathmandu
  6. Kathmandu Durbar SquareUNESCOKathmandu Durbar SquareKathmandu
  7. Chitwan National ParkUNESCOChitwan National Park
  8. Kala PattharKala Patthar
  9. Koshi BarrageKoshi BarrageSaharsa
  10. Budhanilkantha TempleBudhanilkantha TempleBudhanilkantha
  11. Rasuwa FortRasuwa FortGyirong
  12. Tilicho LakeTilicho Lake
  1. Patan Durbar Square · LalitpurUNESCO
  2. Sagarmatha National ParkUNESCO
  3. Janaki Mandir · Janakpur
  4. Bhaktapur Durbar SquareUNESCO
  5. Changu Narayan TempleUNESCO
  6. Shanti Stupa, Pokhara · Pokhara
  7. Davis Falls · Pokhara
  8. Taleju Temple, Kathmandu · Lalitpur
  9. Krishna Mandir, Patan · Lalitpur
  10. Mahendra Cave · Pokhara
  11. Patan Museum · LalitpurUNESCO

UNESCO sites in Nepal →

Weather by month

The warmest month is June, with an average high of 26 °C. The wettest is July, with about 450 mm of rain.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average high, °C161822252626252625232017
Average low, °C671013161920201915118
Rainfall, mm1924325212223445041126556811
Rainy days126111923282722801

Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Kathmandu (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.

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